'Negosyo Laban sa Kahirapan' helps mothers

BINMALEY, Pangasinan, Philippines  – Mothers waiting for their children in school have turned productive through the Negosyo Laban sa Kahirapan livelihood project.

Vice Mayor Pete Merrera of this town told The STAR that instead of whiling away the time during their children’s class hours, mothers have been trained in making fashionable bags out of recycled plastic straws.

Merrera, who is into buy-and-sell of recyclable materials, buys the plastic straws and gives them to those involved in the project. A high school student, Carlo Mendoza, teaches the mothers to make the bags.

Their products became an instant hit, getting several orders from their customers.

The project, which started about three months ago, has helped many women, especially mothers in at least seven barangays here, namely Basing, Naguilayan, Biec, Caloocan Sur, Caloocan Norte, Malindong and Poblacion.

Merrera said he is coordinating with the Department of Labor and Employment for funding support.